Budget wishlist: Goa to place tribal fund with Welfare dept

After realising that most of its departments are not utilising the budgetary allocation meant for tribal welfare, Goa government has decided to channelise the funds, under Tribal Sub Plan, to tribal welfare department when it tables Budget (2013-14) on March 18.
The Tribal Sub Plan accounts for 12 per cent of total budgetary allocation.
"Money allotted under tribal sub plan, which accounts for 12 per cent of total budgetary allocation, are not utilised for the purpose it is meant for. A survey was conducted and it was found that many departments did not use the money under tribal sub plan", said Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar.

He admitted that even after BJP government took over, it could not steer the money to tribal welfare department.
The Manohar Parrikar government, which will be tabling the budget on March 18, has decided to divert 12 per cent fund of at least six departments to the Tribal Welfare department which will route it to the concerned departments ensuring proper utilisation, he said.
"We will identify projects under these departments and release the money so that the fund is properly utilised for the purpose it is meant for", Tawadkar said.

He said the Tribal Welfare department has also decided to take up a drive to recruit 2,600 ST youths in government services to make up for the requirement of 12 per cent reservation in government jobs.

"The drive would be held over next one year. We will identify the youths and recruit them. If there is no work available for them, they would be kept waiting till vacancy arises but in the meantime we will give them salary", Tawadkar said, adding a survey is being conducted to ascertain the number of departments where reservation is not implemented.
The minister said several posts de-reserved by the erstwhile Congress-led government would be reserved again to recruit "deserving" youths from ST community.